Page 74
“Sometimes,” he acquiesced. “Other times, grave robbing.”
She wrinkled her nose.
“It paid very well, and I helped scientific societies. If you ask me, they should add my name to their footnotes when they publish books about their discoveries because without me a lot of them wouldn’t have been discovered.”
Victoria clapped her hand over her mouth, trying unsuccessfully to hold her laughter. “You are going to hell for that. You know that, right?”
“Then you’re going alongside me for laughing.”
“I am not laughing!” she exclaimed, even as a giggle escaped her lips. Victoria pressed her fingers to her mouth in a vain attempt to smother her smile before clearing her throat and pretending solemnity. “And I would be very interested in learning to bake bread.”
“Whew!” William theatrically wiped his forehead. “For a moment, I was afraid you were going to say you would love to rob a grave.”
She chuckled, although her eyes spoke of a subtle rebuke.
“It is rather difficult, you know.”
“Baking?”
“No, grave robbing. Digging up a grave takes a lot of strength and creates all sorts of calluses on one’s palm. And hoisting the body up creates rope burns on one’s shoulders.”
“Oh, that’s why you have scars on your shoulders?” she asked earnestly, and William winced inwardly. Of course, she’d noticed his scars. She had seen him naked.
He cleared his suddenly constricted throat. “Some of them, yes. Baking bread, on the other hand, is quite easy.”
Either his ploy to lighten the mood worked, or she had sensed the shift within him because she beamed at him. “Then I would love to learn.”
She picked the spoon back up again and studied the stew thoughtfully before turning toward him again. “How about tomorrow? Unless you have more acquaintances to help?” Was there a note of jealousy in her voice?
William grinned. “No, I think they can wait one day.”
Her face lit up with a smile. “Excellent! Although, I hope you’re not expecting me to wake up at four in the morning.”
William’s grin softened. “Not at all.”
It seemed as though she wanted to ask more, and a part of William wanted her to ask all her questions. Another part of him was afraid he wouldn’t be able to answer her honestly or give her the answers she’d be satisfied with. So, when she silently continued her meal, he felt relief mixed in with a sense of disappointment. It was a difficult line to walk, and he felt like this all the time when he was with Victoria.
They finished the meal soon after, and then William cleaned the pots while Victoria took a long bath. They read for a while in separate chambers until Victoria came to bed in her billowing nightgown, her dark locks slightly damp, spilling over her shoulders and back.
William doused the candles and took off his clothes, then threw his new nightshirt over his body. The soft fabric felt rather nice against his skin, and although it wasn’t as comfortable as being naked, it was still better than wearing breeches.
He turned toward the bed, only to see Victoria, sitting up, watching him. She gave him a little smile as he raised his brow in question. “It looks good on you.”
William looked down at himself and smirked. He looked hideous. But if she said he looked good, who was he to argue?
He climbed onto the bed and turned toward her.
She immediately leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
William’s eyes fell closed. This was the moment he’d been longing for all day. He inhaled deeply, relishing the sensation of her lips against his and the fragrance of her jasmine soap. It called to him, beckoned him to draw closer, run his fingers through her hair, grab her by the waist, and pull her close.
He did none of those things. Instead, he parted his lips and tenderly kissed her back. Typically she would pull away now, blushing as she bid him goodnight.
But this time, she didn’t.
A soft moan escaped her lips as she eagerly reciprocated his kiss. Then, she reached up and gently brushed his shoulder.
William covered her hand with his own, slowly guiding it to his neck and keeping it there as their kiss grew more intense, insistent even.
